There’s No Room for Style in a Democracy

Simon Doonan on why only dictators can look hip.

Ever wonder why male American politicians have such boring clothes? Why do the Kim Jong-ils, Mummar Quaddafis, and Fidel Castros of the world get to have all of the great looks?

In this episode of Conversations with Slate, fashion legend and author Simon Doonan talks with Jacob Weisberg about how in America, politicians can never realize their true style potential. Doonan discusses why Mitt Romney has to try hard not to look like a handsome “lounge lizard” and how fabulous it would be if Barack Obama could sport a cotton khaki suit with flat-front pants and aviators.